Senior Research Engineer, Controls
Hybrid Santa Clara Full-time Senior AI Research
At a glance
Senior AI Research role at PlusAI. Santa Clara · full-time · $150,000–$200,000 base.
SalaryStated by PlusAI
$150,000 – $200,000
Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.
This role, from PlusAIOur estimate for the market: $202,088–$247,638Median $214,300
Below the market median of $214,300 for senior AI research roles in Santa Clara.
Worked out from 10 postings that stated pay, median $214,300. Last updated Oct 19, 2026.
RoleAI Research
SenioritySenior
LocationSanta Clara
WorkplaceHybrid
EmploymentFull-time
Base pay$150,000–$200,000
PostedJan 30, 2026 · 8mo ago
Role brief
aimlroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Build control methods that pair MPC with learning approaches such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, or imitation learning
- Create data-generation, training, and evaluation systems to improve online control optimization
- Keep vehicle models fast enough for real-time use on compute-limited systems
- Plan vehicle tests in simulation and on public roads, then investigate performance issues and debug their causes
- Work with domain experts to make data-driven controller designs scalable and track new research
What you bring
- A master's or doctoral degree in computer science, mechanical engineering, robotics, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline
- At least two years in machine-learning engineering or in designing and building robotics applications
- A strong grasp of motion control and neural-network architectures, with depth in learning, time-series analysis, or dynamic-system modeling
- Robotics debugging skills in Linux, strong Python and C++ programming, and experience training models with frameworks such as PyTorch
- Practical experience handling data ingestion and processing pipelines
Who this fits
This senior role suits an engineer focused on motion control, learning-based methods, and autonomous vehicle testing. It is based in Santa Clara and is hybrid.
From the employer
PlusAI is a Physical AI company pioneering AI-based virtual driver software for factory-built autonomous trucks. Headquartered in Silicon Valley with operations in the United States and Europe, Plus was named by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Partners including TRATON GROUP’s Scania, MAN, and International brands, Hyundai Motor Company, Iveco Group, Bosch, and DSV are working with Plus to accelerate the deployment of next-generation autonomous trucks. If you’re ready to make a huge impact and drive the future of autonomy, Plus is looking for talented individuals to join its fast-growing teams.
As a Research Engineer, you will deliver mission-critical improvements and new features for our autonomy motion planning and control stack. You will be a crucial part of our team, working alongside engineers, research scientists, and domain experts to build optimal and data driven controls to realize planned vehicle trajectories. Your responsibilities will include the development of machine-learning vehicle models and learning based control policies leveraging the extensive data we collect every day across our autonomous trucking fleet. You will also have the opportunity to solve real-world autonomy system challenges by participating in vehicle performance analysis, tuning, and troubleshooting. You will contribute significantly to our commitment to pushing the frontiers of technological innovation in Autonomy.
As a Research Engineer, you will deliver mission-critical improvements and new features for our autonomy motion planning and control stack. You will be a crucial part of our team, working alongside engineers, research scientists, and domain experts to build optimal and data driven controls to realize planned vehicle trajectories. Your responsibilities will include the development of machine-learning vehicle models and learning based control policies leveraging the extensive data we collect every day across our autonomous trucking fleet. You will also have the opportunity to solve real-world autonomy system challenges by participating in vehicle performance analysis, tuning, and troubleshooting. You will contribute significantly to our commitment to pushing the frontiers of technological innovation in Autonomy.
Responsibilities:
- Design, implement, and enhance control algorithms by developing frameworks that integrate MPC with learning based approaches (DL/RL/IL)
- Work cross-functionally with domain experts to implement data driven controller design for scalability
- Develop tools and infrastructure for dataset generation, training, and evaluation to drive advancements in online control optimization
- Ensure all model development keeps a real-time focus and operates efficiently in compute-constrained environments
- Take a lead role in the planning and execution of vehicle testing in the offline simulation environment and on the public road to systematically improve performance, as well as performing root cause analysis and debugging to address the issues
- Track and incorporate the latest research advancements
Required Skills:
- Master's or PhD degree in Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering or related field
- 2+ years of MLE experience or industry experience designing and developing for robotics applications
- Strong foundation in motion control and modern neural network architectures, with expertise in at least one application area, such as IL/RL, time-series analysis, or dynamic system modeling
- Skilled in debugging robotic systems within Linux environments, with strong programming expertise in Python and C++
- Experience model development & training with modern frameworks (e.g. PyTorch)
- Hands-on familiarity with data ingestion and processing pipelines
Preferred Skills:
- Hands-on application skills in any of the following areas: adaptive and nonlinear control, MPC & optimal control, robust control, data-driven control, Kalman filters, etc.
- Have a solid understanding of AV control, vehicle dynamics and drive-by-wire systems
- Proven expertise with application, verification and validation for ADAS/autonomous driving features and functions